Abass Baraou will meet Yoenis Tellez next Saturday in Orlando – the winner could soon become the full WBA world champion.
For Abass Baraou (16-1, 9 knockouts), things will get serious on August 23 in Orlando, Florida: The Berlin native will get the chance to secure the interim WBA world middleweight title against the unbeaten Yoenis Tellez (10-0, 7 knockouts). Baraou thus returns after a 14-month break from the ring. His last appearance dates back to June 2024, when he defeated Macaulay McGowan on points in Bolton (England) and defended his EBU European title. He voluntarily relinquished this belt shortly afterwards in order to concentrate fully on the big time on the world stage. “I used the long break to develop myself further and work harder every day. Now comes the big opportunity – and I want to make the most of it,” says Baraou ahead of the fight.
His opponent is a tough one: 24-year-old Cuban Yoenis Tellez secured the interim title in March with a dominant points victory over former world champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams. Now he wants to defend it for the first time. For Baraou, there is more at stake than just an interim title. Should Terence Crawford, the current WBA champion, move up to super middleweight, the winner between Tellez and Baraou could become the full world champion. “It’s the biggest task of my career. But I believe in myself, in my team and in the work we’ve put in over the last few months. I’m ready to take the belt to Germany.”
The fight is part of a DAZN card from Most Valuable Promotions in Orlando, headlined by another world title fight between Yankiel Rivera and Angelino Cordova.
Text by Robin Josten